Detecting ovulation in Macaca nemestrina by correlation of vaginal cytology, body temperature and perineal tumescence with laparoscopy.

Abstract

AbstractVaginal cytology, basal body temperature, and perineal tumescence were correlated with laparoscopic observations during the menstrual cycles of five pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) of known fertility. Percentages of cells obtained in vaginal smears revealed systematic variation in the presence of cell types in relation to the menstrual cycle. Measuring the percentage of exfoliate vaginal epithelial cells containing pyknotic nuclei proved to be of little value for separating the menstrual cycle into its follicular and luteal phases, nor did body temperature provide an accurate index for the occurrence of ovulation. Perineal tumescence, however, measured from the first day of menses to onset of detumescence, was a reliable indicator of the lengths of the follicular and luteal phases as correlated with laparoscopic confirmation of ovulation. Maximal perineal tumescence usually occurred within 12 hours of ovulation, although on one occasion the two events were separated by 48 hours.